November 7, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on how Minneapolis voters overwhelmingly picked challenger R.T. Rybak for mayor of Minneapolis. Rybak beat two-term incumbent Sharon Sayles Belton in mayoral election with 65 percent of the vote. He leads a pack of new faces on the city council that signals a significant change of direction. Hughes summarizes the two campaigns and outcome.
November 5, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes provides a summary report of Minneapolis mayoral debate at a Minnesota Public Radio forum. Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton forcefully fights for her political career in the final days before the election, squaring off against challenger R.T. Rybak. In debate, Sayles Belton questioned Rybak's promise to shun campaign donations by those with business interests in city hall. She also strongly defended her administration against Rybak's accusation that the city is mismanaged.
October 23, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes presents a profile of mayoral candidate R.T. Rybak. R.T. Rybak hopes to become the first challenger to unseat an incumbent Minneapolis mayor since 1977. Backers say the political newcomer has a gift for energizing people toward his causes. Critics, however, say Rybak's vision lacks specifics and his big-tent approach is so big that it includes conflicting ideals that can't be sustained over time. Report includes Rybak’s efforts on fighting jet noise in South Minneapolis, and bringing a Target store to downtown.
October 17, 2001 - Audio excerpts from Midday program with Minneapolis mayoral candidates.
October 17, 2001 - Minneapolis mayoral candidates R.T. Rybak and Sharon Sayles Belton join host Gary Eichten in the studio on this Midday program. The candidates discuss various subjects, including community development, city budget, affordable housing, terrorism, and policing. They also answer listener questions.
September 20, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on first public forum of Minneapolis mayoral candidates. Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton and challenger R.T. Rybak faced off on various city issues.
September 12, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Minneapolis mayoral primary results. Political newcomer and internet consultant R.T. Rybak will face two-term incumbent Sharon Sayles Belton in the Minneapolis mayoral election in November. Rybak was the top vote-getter in a race that included two other viable challengers to Sayles Belton.
August 16, 2001 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on Minneapolis mayoral debate hosted by TPT. Report includes audio clips from the debate. Candidates were incumbent Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton and challengers R.T. Rybak, Lisa McDonald, and Mark Stenglein.
August 13, 2001 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews the leading candidates for mayor of Minneapolis, R.T. Rybak, DFL candidate; and Mark Stenglein, Independent candidate. Issues discussed are housing crisis, environment, city budget, property taxes, and police.
April 25, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on first public forum of three mayoral candidates. Affordable housing, downtown development and policing issues are among the main topics debated by the three candidates for Minneapolis mayor who are vying for the DFL endorsement. Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton debated challengers Lisa McDonald, Minneapolis City Council member; and R.T. Rybak, community activist/internet consultant.